In December 2024, United in the Spirit issue

The Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist Newsletter

Vol 5 Issue 2.

Two of my Blog stories were published.

.

OCTOBER IS SAINT FRANCIS’ MONTH

My relationship with or acquaintance with Saint Francis started when I was nine years old, as a Catholic wolf cub (Boy Scout). The adults responsible for us, whom we named Chief, were students from Saint Paul University in the Faculty of Theology, who told us all the stories about Saint Francis. Additionally, I was influenced by a French film from the 1950s or 1960s, a story about a little boy and his donkey who want the priest to bless it. After lengthy arguments, which span almost the entire movie, the priest finally agrees, and all the other animals and village people are brought into the church.

Blessing of animals

At this time of year, people in various places may notice something unusual. A procession of animals, ranging from dogs and cats to hamsters and horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony known as the Blessing of Pets. This custom is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.

Saint Francis blessed animals early in his ministry, sometime between 1210 and 1215. The story goes that he was wandering outdoors one warm afternoon, full of self-doubt, when he noticed a flock of birds in his path.

In 1224, Francis became the first saint in history to receive the stigmata (the wounds of Christ crucified). On October 4, 1226, Francis died in Assisi and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX shortly thereafter. Today, over three million people pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Francis a year, revealing him to be one of the most popular and beloved saints of all time. In 1979, Pope John Paul II paid tribute to Francis’ love for creation by declaring him the patron saint of ecologists.

Now, annually, on or around October 4, Christians worldwide celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis with a blessing of animals and prayers for creation.

Catholicism has specific liturgies for blessing animals, which highlight the interdependence of creation. United Methodists also have a specific liturgy highlighting creation and mutual interdependence.

Separate variants of Christianity, such as the Catholic and Episcopal Church (United States) churches, sometimes combine to hold joint, ecumenical, animal blessing ceremonies.

Blessing of animals can be either of the animal or of the human-animal relationship. It can apply to pets and other companion animals, as well as agricultural, working, and other animals that humans depend on or interact with. The ceremonial blessing of companion animals occurs worldwide, including in Australia, Canada, Scotland, Spain, and the United States.

Blessing animals is a religious practice that occurs in various forms across many religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Shinto, and Unitarian Universalism. Secular respect for animals is also vital. For example, World Animal Day, an international day of action for animal rights and welfare celebrated annually, is still held on October 4, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a Christian patron saint of animals.

The other Article